["I" (that is the speaker, Clay) is the topic and now this is known, it won't be repeated unless the topic changes]

["I" (that is the speaker, Clay) is the topic and now this is known, it won't be repeated unless the topic changes]

-

What is the subject of the sentence? That's right - Clay is. But because Clay is '''also''' the topic only the topic marker は is used. Now we'll let Clay continue and say another sentence ...

+

What is the subject of the sentence? That's right - "I" ''watashi'' is. But because "I" is '''also''' the topic only the topic marker は is used. Now we'll let Clay continue and say another sentence ...

ねこがすきです。<br>

ねこがすきです。<br>

Line 44:

Line 44:

["cats" is the subject here. "I" is still the topic. He could have said "watashi wa neko ga suki desu." but that is unnecessary because he has already said "watashi wa" establishing the topic in the previous sentence.]

["cats" is the subject here. "I" is still the topic. He could have said "watashi wa neko ga suki desu." but that is unnecessary because he has already said "watashi wa" establishing the topic in the previous sentence.]

Particles intro

In Japanese, grammatical parts of the sentence are shown very clearly by "particles." These particles are placed after the word (or phrase) they modify. The best way to learn to use them is to memorize useful examples and say them!

wa - overall topic particle

は wa - overall topic particle - shows the main topic of the conversation [NOTE: it is a hiragana ha but pronounced as "wa"]

あなたはやさしいです。
anata wa yasashii desu.
You are nice.
[Makes "you" the main topic]

ga - the subject particle

が ga - the subject particle - sometimes the difference between wa and ga is hard to tell. Sometimes they can be used interchangeably with only a slight change in meaning. More on wa vs ga in the next section.

Comparing は and が

The topic particle は can easily be confused with the subject particle が. That is because は overrides が, in other words in a sentence something can very easily be both the topic and the subject of that sentence. In such cases the が 'disappears' and it looks like the は is acting as a subject marker.

Take this simple sentence.

わたしはクレイです。
watashi wa kurei desu.
I am Clay.
["I" (that is the speaker, Clay) is the topic and now this is known, it won't be repeated unless the topic changes]

What is the subject of the sentence? That's right - "I" watashi is. But because "I" is also the topic only the topic marker は is used. Now we'll let Clay continue and say another sentence ...

ねこがすきです。
neko ga suki desu.
(I) like cats.
["cats" is the subject here. "I" is still the topic. He could have said "watashi wa neko ga suki desu." but that is unnecessary because he has already said "watashi wa" establishing the topic in the previous sentence.]

if both are in a sentence, the wa is first.

o - The Direct Object particle

を o - The Direct Object particle

本をよみました。
hon o yomimashita.
(I) read a book.
[NOTE: it makes "book" the object. If we were to say "I" it would be watashi wa at the beginning.]

Adjectives (part 1)

-i adjectives - adjectives that end in 'i', if you like their 'dictionary form' ends in 'i'.
-na adjectives - adjectives that add -na when placed before nouns

The -i adjectives change:

あつい atsui - (It's) hot

i

あつくない atsukunai - not hot

-i + kunai

あつかった atsukatta - was hot

-i + katta

あつくなかった atsukunakatta - wasn't hot

-i + kunakatta

The -na adjectives don't change! But when placed before nouns they add a -na

げんき genki (healthy, active, fine) げんきな子 genki na ko (healthy child)

The basic definition of adjectives is that they go before a noun to modify or further define it. For example in English "Car." -> "Red car." Japanese does just the same "車 kuruma" -> "赤い車 akai kuruma".

Fillers ええと

In English, we have our "um." in Japanese, they have their "eeto." This is the sound you make when you can't think of what to say, but want to say something!

何の動物が好きですか？
nan no doubutsu ga suki desu ka?
What animal do you like?

ええと・・・、ねこがすきです。
eeto..., neko ga suki desu.
Um..., I like cats.

Very とても

Sometimes mom's cooking isn't just oishii (delicious) it is VERY OISHII!

Add とても totemo before adjectives to say "very"

とてもおいしいです。
totemo oishii desu.
It's very delicious!

とても大きな木です。
totemo ookina ki desu.
It is a very big tree.

OTHER VERY WORDS

非常に hijou ni
超 chou (kind of slang - chou means "super-")

I think と思います

This goes at the end to show that you believe what you say, but are not 100% sure. It is also used to show one's opinion. If there is a desu change it to da which is the more casual form and add to omoimasu

1. The speaker is not totally sure of the accuracy of his info...

熊のプーさんはくまだと思います。
kuma no pu-san wa kuma da to omoimasu.
Winnie the Pooh is a bear, I think...

Next is an example of showing one's opinion. It is true for the speaker, but may not be so for the listener.